Valve Spring Retainer

ABSTRACT

The valve spring retainer includes a base having an outer periphery and a central aperture. The central aperture defines a center axis. At least two tabs extending radially from the base outer periphery relative to the center axis. Each of the tabs have a distal end including an axially extending lip for retaining a spring relative to the retainer.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/077,629, filed Jul. 2, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is expressly and fully incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to valve spring retainers, and more particularly to a valve spring retainer for an internal combustion engine.

Typical valve spring retainers have a circular perimeter with a downwardly extending periphery flange or downwardly projecting protrusion for engaging a return compression spring. The groove or flange retains the spring relative to a poppet valve of an internal combustion engine to bias the poppet valve toward a specific position. The mass of the spring retainer, however, affects the performance of the internal combustion engine, i.e. the higher the mass of the spring retainer the less the engine performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a valve spring retainer having a lower mass than prior art valve spring retainers designed for the same application. The valve spring retainer includes a base having an outer periphery and a central aperture. The central aperture defines a center axis. At least two tabs extending radially from the base outer periphery relative to the center axis. Each of the tabs have a distal end including an axially extending lip for retaining a spring relative to the retainer.

In the detailed description below, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Rather the invention may be employed in other embodiments. Reference should therefore be made to the claims herein for interpreting the breadth of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a valve spring retainer incorporating the present invention installed in an internal combustion engine;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the valve spring retainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the valve spring retainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is side view of the valve spring retainer of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is side view of an alternative embodiment of a valve spring retainer incorporating the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the Figures, a valve spring retainer 10 incorporating the present invention is preferably stamped from a thin steel blank. In a preferred embodiment, the valve spring retainer 10 is stamped from a blank approximately 1.06 mm thick providing a retainer with a total mass of 30-40% less than the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1, the valve spring retainer 10 is secured to a valve stem 12 by two keys or collets 14. However, other methods for securing the spring retainer to the valve can be used, such as leaf springs, cotter pins, and the like, without departing from the scope of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the valve spring retainer 10 includes a base 16 with a downwardly extending tapered cone section 18 surrounded by an upwardly extending annular ridge 22 spaced inwardly from a base outer periphery 24. The annular ridge 22 stiffens the base 16 allowing the valve spring retainer 10 to be formed from a blank thinner than normally required for the same application. Of course, the annular ridge 22 can be omitted without departing from the scope of the invention.

The cone section 18 includes a circular aperture 26 through which the valve stem 12 is received. The aperture 26 defines a central axis 28 coaxial with the cone section 18 and extending through the base 16.

Four retaining tabs 32 extend radially outwardly from the base outer periphery 24 relative to the central axis 28. Each retaining tab 32 extends radially from a proximal end attached to the base toward a distal end. A lip 34 extending substantially axially from the distal end of the tab engages the outer periphery of a return compression valve spring to retain the spring relative to the valve spring retainer 10. Advantageously, the absence of material between the retaining tabs 32 reduces the mass of the valve spring retainer 10 compared to the prior art. Although four retaining tabs are shown, any number of retaining tabs, such as two or more retaining tabs can be provided to retain the spring relative to the valve spring retainer.

Carrying web tabs 36 interposed between two pairs of the retaining tabs 32 can be provided to facilitate progressive stamping of the valve spring retainer 10. Although carrying web tabs 36 are preferred to facilitate manufacturing, the carrying tab webs 36 can be omitted without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a reinforcing band 38 of material surrounding a lower part of the cone section 18 strengthens the cone section 18 for use under harsh conditions. Preferably, the reinforcing band is formed as an integral part of the cone section 18. Although a reinforcing band 38 is disclosed. The reinforcing band can be omitted without departing from the scope of the invention.

While there has been shown and described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. 

1. A valve spring retainer comprising: a base having an outer periphery and a central aperture, said central aperture defining a center axis; and at least two tabs extending radially from said base outer periphery relative to said center axis, each of said tabs having a distal end including an axially extending lip for retaining a spring relative to said retainer.
 2. The valve spring retainer as in claim 1, in which said central aperture is formed in a downwardly extending tapered cone section.
 3. The valve spring retainer as in claim 2, in which said central aperture is surrounded by an upwardly extending annular ridge.
 4. The valve spring retainer as in claim 1, including a reinforcing band surrounding said cone section.
 5. A valve spring retainer comprising: a base having an outer periphery and a central aperture, said central aperture defining a center axis; a downwardly extending tapered cone section coaxial with said central axis; and at least two tabs extending radially from said base outer periphery relative to said center axis, each of said tabs having a distal end including an axially extending lip for retaining a spring relative to said retainer.
 6. The valve spring retainer as in claim 5, including an upwardly extending annular ridge surrounding said central aperture.
 7. The valve spring retainer as in claim 5, including a reinforcing band surrounding said cone section. 